Advocates for books that matter.

Shane White

Winner of the 2015 Society for Historians of the Early American Republic Best Book Prize

Winner of the 2016 New York City Book Award

"This is historical detective work of the highest magnitude... Indeed, the feeling the book left the prize committee with after its 300-plus pages was: how could the story of an American character this fascinating not have been written before?" —2015 SHEAR Best Book Prize citation

"White has created a fitting tribute to a man who had all but been forgotten." —Perspectives on History, American Historical Association

"A stunning feat...White introduces us to a figure that history has essentially forgotten." —The Daily Beast

"Examines the colorful, complex life of the man who in the eighteenth century was reportedly the wealthiest Black man in the United States—with a fortune of $2 million or in excess of $250 million (estimated) in today’s currency." —Essence.com

"Alexander wasn’t the only controversial Hamilton from New York. After prodigious research, Professor Shane White rescues Jeremiah G. Hamilton from oblivion." -- The New York Times

"Chronicles how the complex and notorious Hamilton bucked racial stereotypes and social expectations to make his unprecedented wealth...a fascinating picture of the enigmatic figure." —Ebony

"If this Hamilton were around today, he might have his own reality TV show or be a candidate for president...An interesting look at old New York, race relations and high finance." —New York Post